Austin’s Parish Music Venue Announces Impending Move Amid Rising Costs
austin’s iconic music venue,Parish, revealed plans to relocate from its current location at 501 Brushy St. by the end of the year. The announcement, made via social media, assures patrons that the venue will remain open throughout the summer and fall, honoring its scheduled performances.
The Driving Force Behind the Move: Financial Realities
Despite having what the venue describes as a fantastic landlord
and benefiting from fair rent,Parish cites unsustainable operating costs as the primary reason for the move. A statement on the venue’s website highlights a systemic issue affecting Austin’s creative spaces:
This is a city-wide problem: The cost to access high-quality, creative spaces for performing arts is too high for a community that depends on them to make art and music for a living.
Parish Website
This marks the second relocation for Parish in the last five years, underscoring the challenges faced by many autonomous venues in Austin.
Did You Know?
austin’s live music scene contributes significantly to the city’s economy, attracting tourists and supporting numerous local businesses. The health of independent venues is crucial to maintaining Austin’s identity as the “Live music Capital of the World.”
A History of Change: Parish’s Journey
Parish’s history is marked by transitions. Originally situated in the historic 6th Street district since its opening in 2003, the venue was once owned by Doug Guller of ATX Brands. In a unique turn of events, Guller listed the club for sale on eBay.Stephen Sternschein, Managing Partner of Heard Entertainment and owner of Empire Control Room and Garage, acquired Parish in January 2018.
Following a legal dispute, Parish relocated in 2022 across I-35 to the space previously occupied by The North Door, after a legal dispute at its 214 E.6th St.location.
The Struggle for Sustainability
The venue’s website details the ongoing battle against rising real estate costs and shifting consumer habits. The core issue, according to parish, is the inability to provide fair wages and benefits to staff while maintaining affordable ticket and drink prices for patrons.
Independent venues matter. They are the coral reef of the creative ecosystem that nurtures every artist at the beginning of their professional careers. They are also what makes Austin the Live Music Capital of the World. They are a platform for all the alt, weird, new, and fascinating culture that isn’t supported by the mainstream, or at least not yet.
Parish Website
Pro Tip: Supporting Local Venues
Attend shows, purchase merchandise, and spread the word about your favorite local venues.Your support directly contributes to their survival and the vibrancy of Austin’s music scene.
Rally Austin: A Potential Lifeline
In a positive development,Parish’s sister venue,Empire Control Room and Garage,was successfully purchased in October 2024 with assistance from the City of Austin’s rally Austin Program. This program provided a $2.2 million loan,structured as a standard interest-rate mortgage,to facilitate the purchase and expansion of the property. Parish emphasizes the importance of such city initiatives in preserving independent venues and the communities they serve.
Since ancient times,opera houses and amphitheaters have been the heart of the city. We still do it for some kinds of conventional or corporate music. But we need to do it for the kind of music most of us listen to, and we need to have spaces for the next generation (of) artists to thrive.
Parish Website
